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The Artiphon Instrument 1 can be played like a guitar, piano, violin, drum machine and lots of other instruments. It consists of a touch-sensitive digital fretboard with a small head on top and a larger body below.

The body contains a pickup, a speaker and a knob to adjust the volume.

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The goal is for the instrument to be both powerful and easy to use. It comes with a companion app that allows users to tune, configure and adjust what it does in response to their actions. "Our goal is to create the most effortless music-making experience at any skill level," the company explained. "Tune it all to E-major if you like, adjust the sensitivity, or forget strumming altogether and let it auto-play the notes you press."

But more exciting for many will be its ability to be used as a MIDI controller - allowing it to be combined with hundreds of music apps for iPhone, iPad and desktop. The Artiphon connects directly to other devices via either USB or Lightning connection.

Artiphon

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As well as recreating existing instruments the device can also be used to create new ones. Mode of input, method of play, tuning and sound can all be adjusted. Artiphon said the digital strings are velocity-sensitive and can recognise and respond to strums, plucks, slides, capos, vibrato, hammer-ons and pull-offs.

Kickstarter backers pushed the campaign to its $75,000 (£49,000) goal in five hours and 23 minutes. At the time of writing it has since doubled that goal with 39 days still to go. People intersted in getting hold of one need to pledge $349 or more - with greater pledges unlocking custom premium editions and more. It's expected to ship at the start of 2016. "This moment has been four years in the making, and this is just the beginning," wrote Artiphon founder Mike Butera in an update thanking fans for funding the campaign. "This is a labor of love for all of us at Artiphon, and we're so excited to have your support as we bring this to the world."